Registered Charity 1120515

Foundation activities continue to grow with the support of JP and Dennis

 

Over 273 young people took part in the PHF road shows across Lancashire during the period January – March 2013.  As part of Lancashire County Councils - Young Peoples Services youth service project (YPS), the sessions were aimed at helping people who from the group Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) The aims of the shows through these snooker nights were to help develop personal and social issues. The short term targets where:

 

 • Developing interpersonal skills

 • Sportsmanship

 • Communication skills

 • Taking responsibility for equipment

 • Learning self control and to appreciate others

 • Respect and self confidence

 • Social interaction with people from different backgrounds

 • Aspirations of others within themselves

 

The sessions lasted 2/3 hours and involved a 60 second challenge, and team relays. Young people had the opportunity to achieve 26 qualifications as part of the programme.

 

At the end of the programmes Dennis Taylor and John Parrot were present and all participants received a PHF - snooker cue and case together with the opportunity to win TV’s, iPod shuffles, watches and iTunes vouchers. All received a PHF medal.

 

John Parrot said “It’s been great to get involved with the Foundation and I found the snooker relay quite mind blowing.  It was a scene of organised mayhem that developed into a really good team event.  Many congratulations to Chris and the team at NLTG for all the efforts.

 

In Worksop, WPBSA World Snooker qualified coach Steve Mallender has used the Foundation’s highly successful concept of fun snooker activities linked to music. Steve has developed a snooker  youth club with a membership of 25.

 

Steve says” The PHF has been fantastic for the area. The turnout of kids far greater than I first expected. The look on the kids’ faces from walking through the door to going home is a delight to see. As a coach it’s a nice feeling that so many kids enjoy the concept and keep coming each week. When the initial ten weeks were close to finishing I was getting asked regularly each week if that was the end, but when the news came that it had been extended, they were over the moon.

 

When asked, what are the children saying about the PHF nights?

 

Gives me happiness on a Tuesday night.  Alex – 16 yrs.

 

With the music playing it makes me concentrate and feel calm while I play. I can also play with my family members – Thanks it’s been amazing. Owen – 13 yrs.

 

It’s made me happier; it’s improved my snooker skills and got me out of the house.

John Bailey – 13

 

What have the families said? -

 

The program has been great for my two grandchildren. They have looked forward to their night every week.  It has given them a change to taste the game of snooker, on a proper table, mixing with the other kids.  Also I think it was good to have a focus on the dark winter nights which kids don’t have much to do after school.  My eldest grandchild (Jack) didn’t have a hobby until he came to the Foundation and now he talks of Thursday nights every time he sees me. A. Matthews

 

It’s the best thing that has happened for me as well as my grandson.  I could not get him out of the house away from his Xbox and laptop.  He really enjoyed it now we go two and three times a week and joining the Academy, hopefully make the team. T.Spaclum

 

I feel it’s been a huge success.  The kids really enjoy it.  Jack would normally be playing his Xbox but now he looks forward to snooker twice a week. P.Bonton

 

Brilliant idea!  A safe fun environment where my son thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and the challenges!  Steve is fab with the kids!  I like the fact that the centre is a safe, and a welcoming place.  This opportunity is very much needed in our area to avoid children living in “Cyber world” or hanging around on the streets bored. The children learned new skills, and encouraged team building and children meeting and mixing with new friends!  Thank you and hope it continues!   M.Turner

 

Former professional and current club owner and management agent Mukesh Palmer approached the Foundation with an idea to create an opportunity for kids to get off the streets and be natured into playing competitive snooker in a league with the support of WPBSA World Snooker Coach’s.

 

He approached Andrew Highfield from the golden cue in Bilston, West Midlands, Garry Baldrey, Star Academy in Sheffield and the Raven Snooker club in Whitchurch and a four-team league was formed.

 

Mukesh saw interest within his own Academy flourish with increased participation under the guidance of WPBSA World Snooker Coach and former professional Stefan Mazrocis and this was mirrored by the other settings.

 

Mukesh says “Its developed a real community spirit within the club with parents pulling together to support children and older players getting involved to support the younger players, 56 juniors have taken part in the league with the Golden Cue from Bilston, in the West Midlands, coming out on top in a close fought contest, but in essence participation is quite clearly the winner.”

 

Lots of junior stars have emerged from the project including 16 year- old Radison Judens from Latvia who plays out of the Star Academy together with 7 year-old Westley Cooper from Wincester who at 7 has already played the likes of Ken Doherty and Jimmy White.

 

On behalf of the Foundation, Chris Lovell says “These have been a great project’s led by Mukesh and Steve and they has given all the youngsters the opportunity of coming of the streets and coming and playing snooker competitively, the support of parents and older players has been invaluable and has demonstrated a real team effort that we’re sure Paul would be proud of!”

 

The league presentations will take place on Paul Hunter day on Sunday 27th April in Cue Zones within the Winter Gardens.

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